PART 1. OF CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS [25 - 680]

TITLE 15. MISCELLANEOUS CRIMES [626 - 653.75]

CHAPTER 3. Immigration Matters [653.55 - 653.61]

It is a misdemeanor for any person for compensation to knowingly make a false or misleading material statement or assertion of fact in the preparation of an immigration matter which statement or assertion is detrimentally relied upon by another. Such a misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), or by both.

(b) “Immigration matter” means any proceeding, filing, or action affecting the immigration or citizenship status of any person which arises under immigration and naturalization law, executive order or presidential proclamation, or action of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the United States Department of State, or the United States Department of Labor.

(d) “Preparation” means giving advice on an immigration matter and includes drafting an application, brief, document, petition, or other paper, or completing a form provided by a federal or state agency in an immigration matter.

Any person violating the provisions of this chapter may be enjoined by any superior court of competent jurisdiction upon an action for injunction, brought by the Attorney General, or any district attorney, county counsel, city attorney, or city prosecutor in this state, and the superior court shall, after proof of violation, issue an injunction or other appropriate order restraining such conduct.

Any person who intentionally violates any injunction issued pursuant to Section 653.57 shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for each violation. Where the conduct constituting a violation is of a continuing nature, each day of such conduct is a separate and distinct violation.

Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for each violation, which shall be assessed and recovered in a civil action brought in the name of the people of the State of California by the Attorney General, or any district attorney, county counsel, city attorney, or city prosecutor in this state in any court of competent jurisdiction. If the civil action was brought by the Attorney General, one-half of the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered, and one-half to the State General Fund. If the civil action was brought by a district attorney or county counsel, the entire amount of the penalty collected shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered. If the civil action was brought by a city attorney or city prosecutor, one-half of the penalty shall be paid to the treasurer of the county in which the judgment was entered and one-half to the city.

The action may be brought upon the complaint of any person acting for the interests of itself, or members, or the general public.

Any person injured by violation of this chapter may recover: (a) his actual damages or five hundred dollars ($500), whichever is greater; and (b) the costs of the suit, including reasonable attorney’s fees.